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Cleveland Guardians MLB Playoffs ALDS Game 5 Detroit Tigers Predictions

Cleveland Guardians MLB Playoffs ALDS Game 5 Detroit Tigers Predictions

It all comes down to a game.

The Guardians rallied late Thursday to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, forcing a decisive Game 5 Saturday night in Cleveland.

The winner will face the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series starting Monday. The loser goes into the offseason wondering, “What if?”

Game 5 is scheduled for 1:08 p.m. at Progressive Field. Can the Guardians find a way to beat presumptive AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubel, who was perfect in the first 4⅓ innings of the Tigers' 3-0 Game 2 win? Can David Fry repeat some of the magic he produced in Game 4 to secure the Guardians' victory?

We assume the following will happen:

Guardians-Tigers ALDS Game 5 Predictions

Lewis: I can't believe I'm dealing with Tarik Skubal, but the days off around Game 5 are crucial for the Guardians. An all-hands-on-deck situation suits the Guardians perfectly. Matthew Boyd will get the ball, but the bullpen can move into position at the first sign of trouble. Skubal is truly special, but the Guardians have shown a rare level of resilience. I'll have the Guardians win again with their backs against the wall and advance to the ALCS in a game where the first team scores. Guardian 1, Tiger 0.

Ulrich: Logic says the Guardians are unlikely to win Game 5 since Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will be on the mound. Logic says the Guardians likely blew this series by failing to close it out in Detroit and thereby avoid another encounter with Skubal, who dominated Game 2 in Cleveland. But the Guardians snapping a 20-inning scoreless streak in Game 4 and forcing Game 5 is a reminder that their resilience might be enough to defy logic. Perhaps the Guardians are at their best in “backs against the wall” mode. Guardian 3, Tiger 2

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